XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

Job Description for Principal Software Architect

If computers are the big brains that make the modern world think, then software is the thought process of these big brains, and software comes in as many forms and applications as one can imagine. Virtually every industry relies on computer software, from toys to food and medicine and the armed forces. Software architects are those who create the software needed for all these computer systems to function, and the principal software architect is the person in charge of entire software development teams.

The principal software architect is an experienced software designer who utilizes effective communication and leadership to coordinate sometimes-large teams of developers in creating elegant, functional software. Those in this position oversee the entire process, from conceptualizing and creating goals and guidelines to quality control and post-release troubleshooting, maintenance, and updating.

The principal software architect must be able to make decisions quickly and work under strict deadlines. They make the final decisions when the team cannot come to consensus, as well as decisions regarding tools, budget expenses, coding standards, and more. They typically work in office environments, but are often on-the-move and communicating with many people simultaneously.

Principal software architects tend to come from pools of applicants with established backgrounds in computer software design and often have college-level education in this area. As in most computer development careers, the principal software architect will be required to continue their education throughout their career to remain at the forefront of new standards, platforms, and protocols.

Principal Software Architect Tasks

Identify product requirements and limitations to ensure system function.

Confer with users, sponsors and stakeholders to identify their vision and needs; design a software or group of software that meet client’s needs.